Johnson Guard Station
Johnson Guard Station is located 30 miles east of Soda Springs, Idaho, on a site that was established in 1910. The current building was constructed in 1934, and is named after James J. Johnson, who served as ranger of the Georgetown Ranger District from 1907-1913. It's been used for various purposes over the years, from serving as summer headquarters to housing work crews. The cabin is accessible by car in warmer months and by snowmobile in winter. The cabin provides a few conveniences, so guests should be prepared to bring the supplies and equipment they need to make their stay more comfortable.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Full | 15 / – |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
The guard station has a maximum capacity of 15 people. One sleeping room is available with four single beds. Guests need to provide bedding and sleeping pads. The kitchen has a gas stove for cooking and a dining table with chairs. A gas furnace heats the cabin. Propane is provided for the lights, cook stove and heater. A vault toilet and picnic table are located outside. No water or electricity is available at the cabin. Guests will need to supply their own water for drinking, washing and cooking. Bedding/sleeping pads, cookware, kitchen utensils and emergency supplies are not provided. Guests are required to bring garbage bags to pack out their trash. The cabin should be cleaned before leaving, so guests should bring some cleaning supplies.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Soda Springs, take Highway 34 north approximately 12 miles to the China Hat turnoff (Blackfoot River Narrows). This road will follow Blackfoot River for another 11 miles to a junction; there is a Forest Service sign at this point. Take the right fork (Caribou National Forest Road 102) southeast for another 10 miles to the guard station.
| Nearest town | Montpelier, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 42.7211° N, 111.2072° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Mountain Top Outdoor Shop ↗ | 13.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 17.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Airstream of Wyoming ↗ | 25.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 9.7 miLander Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miDiamond Creek0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.5 miBear Canyon2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.6 miBear Canyon Loop0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.7 miDiamond-Bear1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.8 miJohnson Creek0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.2 miHornet Canyon ATV East0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Rock ChurchBuilding · Auburn · 11.5 mi
Natural features
The cabin sits in a meadow at an elevation of 6,500 feet surrounded by the peaks of Dry Ridge and the Webster subrange in southeastern Idaho. Stands of aspen and lodgepole pine dot the landscape. Wildlife in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest includes black bears, wolves, elk, moose, mule deer, bison, grizzly bears, mountain lions and pronghorn ( bear safety tips ).
Recreation
The Bear Canyon OHV Trail is about 1 mile north of the guard station ( Idaho OHV safety message ). Hikers and mountain bikers will also find trails nearby. The area surrounding the cabin is a playground for snowmobilers and skiers in the winter months. Anglers can fish in nearby Diamond Creek. The surrounding area also attracts game and game bird hunters.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Johnson Guard Station?
Sites at Johnson Guard Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Johnson Guard Station?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Johnson Guard Station have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Johnson Guard Station?
The Bear Canyon OHV Trail is about 1 mile north of the guard station ( Idaho OHV safety message ). The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Johnson Guard Station?
Montpelier, Idaho.
Source: Getting there
What if Johnson Guard Station is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Summit View Campground (12.1 mi), Swift Creek Campground (15.3 mi, first-come), and Pine Bar Campground (17.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby